The Roanoke Canal Trail at River Road heading towards WestRock and Roanoke Avenue will be closed beginning today for a bridge removal project.

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said the work will consist of site prep, removing the bridge and adding backfill to facilitate a five-year plan of the city, Canal Commission and the Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau of replacing bridges with culverts to make a safer trail for users and emergency personnel should the need arise.

The bridge is the first one users cross when heading towards Roanoke Avenue from River Road.

“That bridge was a Boy Scout project over 20 years ago and it has served its purpose very well over the years,” Simeon said.

The project should be completed in two weeks depending on the weather.